Connecticut suddenly finds itself on a major fault line between regulated taxi service and Uber, the increasingly popular car-for-hire alternative that caters to smartphone users and has the financial might of Silicon Valley behind it.

Uber debuted in Fairfield and New Haven counties last weekend, expanding its footprint to more 100 than cities and 35 countries.

But the state Department of Transportation is confounded by the Uber phenomenon, which relies on a network of independent drivers who use heir own unmarked vehicles.

"As it stands right now, the Connecticut DOT doesn't have any regulatory jurisdiction over Uber," said Kevin Nursick, a spokesman for the agency. "So the bigger question is, should it and what should it be?"

A credit card is required to use the Uber app, which gives customers realtime GPS tracking of nearby cars that they can reserve from their smartphone, tablet or desktop computer. The cars are routed to passengers by the same GPS technology, which provides customers with a photo of their driver.

Passengers who shun traditional taxi services in favor of Uber "don't worry about who the driver is," said Yoseph Haile, 30, an Ethiopian immigrant and part-time student from New Haven who supplements his income at the VA hospital in West Haven as a driver for Uber. "They don't worry whether this guy drives in the right direction or not."

In Connecticut, Uber charges a $3 base fare plus $2.25 per mile or 30 cents per minute in traffic, in addition to a $1 safe-ride fee for its standard car-for-hire service.

Through May 11, the Google and Goldman Sachs-backed venture is running a promotion of five free rides of up to $30 each to its new customers in Connecticut.

"We're seeing a lot of demand from both the rider side and driver side to get on the system," Casabian said.

Arduous process

Traditional taxi services are regulated by the state DOT, which requires proposed carriers to show that the transportation needs in a city or town aren't being met. Those familiar with the process characterized it as arduous, with the state requesting proof of insurance, financial records and criminal background checks on cab drivers, including moving violations.

"If we have to abide by the state of Connecticut regulations, I'm sure they do," Boskello said of Uber.

Not so, according to the DOT.

"The law and regulations don't give us any authority to do anything, and we can't do anything," Nursick said. "My understanding right now is that the Legislature is pondering a study scenario where entities such as Uber would be studied from a regulatory framework perspective to determine where they fit and if they fit in at all."

Uber representatives told Hearst that there were no regulatory hurdles in Connecticut and that drivers must go through extensive background checks by the company.

"People want this service," Casabian said.

Fares are automatically billed to the credit card on file, with the driver getting an 80 percent cut and Uber taking 20 percent. Tips are included in the price.

Commuter business

Uber is eying Metro-North commuters, too.

"We'll have reliable coverage around the stations," Casabian said.

Greenwich Taxi, which operates a cab stand at Greenwich Plaza next to the train station, is protecting its home turf.

"They can't go to Greenwich Plaza," Boskello said. "That's private property. They'll be asked to leave. I have a lease that I pay handsomely for."